Vietnamese processor Godaco is seeing operations at its new plant in Ben Tre increase, with filleters there growing accustomed to a number of new species, executive director Jonathan Wilson told Undercurrent News.

It started on pangasius, and this remains the key species, within which the firm is working on new value-added product development, he said.

Tempura products remain popular, while Godaco is now working with hoki and Alaska pollock too, said Wilson. “We’re also taking on some contract work for sales to other Asian nations, like soft-shell crab.”

In terms of market demand, he echoed what several companies have been saying this year; that China is “really buying — and not just the lower quality products [compared with those the US buys], they’re taking well-trimmed now as well”.